The Most Popular Posts on London Hiker

I’ve been running this website since 2011 and I’ve posted up a fair bit of London walking information in that time. But which posts are the ‘greatest hits’? I dug around in my website statistics to find out.

1. Q&A: Hikes near to London with great views?

The most popular post EVER on London Hiker is a Q&A in which I answered a question about great views near to London.

This makes sense, it’s exactly what I’d want to know if I’d recently started hiking in London, too.

3. Looking for a Hiking Group that Gets out of London?

I still maintain this list of hiking clubs that do weekend trips out of London, plus a link to the excellent list maintained by Rambling Clubs of the many, many walking clubs that do organised day walks from the city.

This is still a popular topic and I often get asked about organised walks and clubs to join – I’m often directing folks to this page!

5. Q&A: Where are the steepest hills near London?

As a hill fan I loved answering this fab question and as you’ll see I found 10 ‘steepest’ hills accessible from London in a day walk, plus some other great ideas for wonderful viewpoints that weren’t necessarily steep hills but were still worth a mention.

6 Perfect Winter Walks in London’s Countryside

Penny Foot from the Central London Outdoor Group suggests 6 walks perfect for the colder months.

The clocks have gone back and the shorter days are with us again but don’t think of hibernating during the winter months. In and around Greater London are plenty of country walks of around 5 to 6 miles that are within Zone 6 or only just outside.

On these walks you can stop at warm pubs for lunch and a beer or cafes for tea and cakes and sometimes both are possible. If the weather suddenly turns bad, there are usually “bail out” options such as catching a bus to the nearest station.

Here are a few of my favourite short winter walks:

1. Banstead Downs, Oaks Park and Woodmansterne (6 miles)

This is a pleasant Autumn walk along Banstead Downs with 2 golf courses, a prison, Oaks Park, Woodmansterne village and a return to Banstead by field paths. The walk starts and finishes in Banstead station which is in zone 6.

You can have lunch in the cafe in Oaks Park or The Woodman pub in Woodmansterne.

2. Six Commons Walks (circular walk from Esher) (6 miles)

This walk includes Littleworth Common, Arbrook Common, Oxshott Heath, Esher Common, Fairmile Common, West End Common as well as Sandown Park Race Course and the Scilly Isles. Starts and finishes at Esher (just outside the Oyster zones, so you need a cheap day return)

3) Surrey Valleys and the Ladder of Salvation (6 miles)

A hilly circular walk from Caterham with a stop to visit the Norman church of St Peter and St Paul at Chaldon before continuing across Happy Valley, Coulsdon Common and around Kenley Aerodrome. The church contains the oldest known wall paintings in Britain, dating from the 12th century, portraying the tree of knowledge, the seven deadly sins and how souls must avoid them when climbing the Ladder of Salvation to reach heaven.

The walk starts at Caterham and finishes at Whyteleafe on the same line (both in Oyster zone 6)

4) Dollis Valley Greenwalk (5 miles)

A linear walk from Totteridge & Whetstone tube to Hampstead Heath, mostly following the Dollis through parks and woods, including a nice view of the Mill Hill viaduct. The walk is either paved or else firm underfoot. There is no convenient pub for lunch but there is a café at the end.

The walk officially finishes at the Hampstead Heath Extension but you can easily continue to Golders Green station where you can stop at Cafe Persia for cakes and coffees plus Persian snacks and sandwiches if you are hungrier by then.

CLOG is a friendly outdoor activity group (run for members by members) for people living in and around London, happy to welcome anyone who enjoys walking, cycling, exploring our countryside and other outdoor activities. Most of our current members are in their late 30s to 50s. We typically have four to eight events every week. Non-members can attend up to three events to try out the group before joining.

Want to hike more in the next 12 months – despite living in London?

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Where are the unmissable viewpoints? What should any self-respecting London walker aim to tick off their checklist? I have the answers!

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(Note: this 127 page ebook is a curated compilation of blog posts published on londonhiker.com and email content sent to my Hiking Britain email list.)

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Welcome! Do you live in London and love walking? I help frustrated London-based hikers to get out on the hills by providing inspiration, ideas, practical advice and encouragement. Satisfy your hill walking cravings! Read more here